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Abram and Martha Slifer, both natives of Pennsylvania,
but of German and Welsh descent. That year, with his brother, he engaged in
mercantile business in Bucks County, Pa., but in 1836, he moved to Osceola
Grove, located 160 acres, and farmed and worked at his trade here until the
lands were placed on the market, when he entered his claim. Archibald and
wife have no children of their own, but raised four, namely: Anne Sweet,
deceased; Orsinus Sweet, Carlos Newman, deceased; and Emma Leonard, married
and living in Minnesota. In 1874 he sold his lands at the Grove, moved to
Kewanee, established a private boarding house, but on the death of his wife
in 1877, sold his Kewanee interests, returned to Elmira, and resides with
his brother. In politics he is Democratic, and for over fifty-four years
has been an earnest member of the Baptist church. Charles Vandyke married
Eleanor, his brother's wife's sister in April, 1836, and the same month came
to Illinois with his brother. After a stay of a few months at the Grove he
returned to Pennsylvania, where he left his newly-wedded wife in April,
engaged in agriculture there until 1841, when he revisited Elmira, purchased
eighty acres, to which, within a few years, he added 126 acres of choice
land. Of their eight children five are living, namely: Abram, of Osceola
Township; Theodore, single; Charles H., single; Alice, married, residing at
Osceola, and James H., residing here. Charles Vandyke has always been a
farmer. In politics he is Republican, like his sons. Adeline Condelle has
been with the family over forty-five years. Since 1845, Charles has been
prominent in public affairs of the township, and like his brother has always
been a leading member of the old Baptist church. Socially, the family hold
a high place, and are noted for their hospitality. They have in their
possession a Welsh dictionary, a China bowl, center table and clothes chest,
brought to America in 1738. Charles and Ellen (Sliper) Vandyke settled at Spoon river in 1836, the same year of their marriage, when they erected their cabin, laid the puncheon floor, put in an old-fashioned fire-place, swung the crane, hung on the kettle and opened up in grand style, with one table, four chairs, one bake-kettle, one mush-pot, one bed, a rolling-pin, a hickory broom, two stout hearts and as many full grown appetites. The Vandykes' golden wedding took place April 21, 1886. Hewes White, one of the pioneers was the father of Wells White, born at Mansfield, Pa., June 7, 1836, came with his parents, Hewes and Anna (Williamson) White to Illinois in 1837 and settled at Osceola in 1838-9. Hewes White carried on blacksmithing there until 1847, when the family moved to Toulon. Here the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1876, leaving three sons and five daughters. Wells White carried on the wagon, carriage and blacksmith business which his father established at Toulon. He married a Miss Hill, of Michigan, to whom a son and a daughter have been born. This son, Frank, is also the head of a family, his wife being Miss Mary, daughter of John Johnson, of Toulon. |
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